April 10


Soul Cravings – Part III: Meaning


In his book Soul Cravings, Erwin McManus tells us:

We are all on a journey to make sense out of life and when it doesn’t make sense, it is maddening to our souls.




Meaning




Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

Matthew 6:33 (NIV)


So my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

I Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)




... Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Galatians 2:20 (NKJV)



Meaning. I had to ask the question when I was in line at Safeway last week. Like I'm standing there holding cold, cold ice cream and sniffing the fresh bananas in my arms, and I am assaulted with these big, color photos and screaming words about some star's last-ditch binge. Seriously, haven’t you asked something like this or at least shook your head as you saw the latest tabloid headline concerning some film idol's outrageous partying, or drunk driving, or fill in the blank with the latest star's odd, frantic behavior: Why? What do they think they’re looking for ... meaning?

They are not alone. People have wrestled with life’s meaning from ancient times. Homer said we were insignificant mortals. Pascal was concerned with the shortness of life and ... who put us here anyway? Probably all of us could take a lesson from the wisest man on earth—Solomon. He had it all, he tried it all, and he discovered one thing. Meaninglessness. The things of this world, in and of themselves, are meaningless. Listen to his words about people and life on earth:

Well, I took all this in and thought it through, inside and out. Here’s what I understood: The good, the wise, and all they do are in God’s hands—but, day by day, whether it’s love or hate they’re dealing with, they don’t know. Anything’s possible. It’s one fate for everybody—righteous and wicked, good people, bad people, the nice and the nasty, worshippers and non-worshippers, committed and uncommitted. I find this outrageous—the worst thing about living on this earth—that everyone’s lumped together in one fate. Is it any wonder that so many people are obsessed with evil? Is it any wonder people go crazy right and left? Life leads to death. That’s it.

Ecclesiastes 9:1-3 The Message

In the end, Solomon both warns and encourages us to Honor and enjoy your Creator while you’re still young. ... The words of the wise prod us to live well. They’re like nails hammered home, holding life together. They are given by God, the one Shepherd. ... The last and final word is this: Fear God. Do what he tells you.

Ecclesiastes 12:1, 11, 13 The Message

But it is Jesus who gives us not only the words of life, but the best offer of all:

I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.


John 10:10b The Message

And this:

What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you?


Luke 8:27b The Message

And this:

But those who give up their lives for me and for the Good News will have true life.


Mark 8:35b NCV

I think if we are to find meaning in life, we need to trust God. It works. It really does. That’s been my experience and the experience of others as well.

I think back to the line in the grocery store. All those magazines with pictures of bleary-eyed rock stars, hung over beauties, and other truly sad lives. When we see stories of so many of the rich, famous, and hip just falling apart, we have to shake our heads. I mean, they really are going crazy! But then I think of Eva, Shayla and Elf, three young women ministering to the sick and the poor in Nairobi’s Kibera slums. Living for Christ. Serving those who have nothing. Making a difference. I see their lives, and I know Jesus’ words are true. You lose your life to find it. You follow Him to discover eternal truth and in the process you discover a double blessing ... eternal life ... and meaning ... wonderful meaning.


Rejoice! Your life counts!


Lord, bring meaning to those who follow hard after You. Bless them. Amen.

April 09


Soul Cravings – Part II: Destiny


In his book Soul Cravings, Erwin McManus tells us:

All of us long to become something more than we are. We are driven to achieve, moved to accomplish, fueled by ambition. It burns hotter in some than in others, but it is within all of us. We’ve all reached for our unique purpose, our divine destiny, or simply a sense of significance or some measure of success.

Destiny

God has given each of you a gift....

I Peter 4:10a (NIV)


In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability ... speak out ... teach well ... encourage ... give generously ... take the responsibility seriously ... do it gladly.

Romans 12:6-8 (NIV)


For we are God’s masterpiece. He created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)


Destiny. I don’t know how old I was when I first thought about destiny. Probably I was an adult. As a kid, I was quiet and shy and I struggled. Destiny? Most likely the farthest thing from my mind. I just wanted to pass second grade. I struggled—especially in school. Early each school year, the teacher would express her doubts, “Mrs. Soderquist, I just don’t know. I think we may have to hold Craig back a year....” But then somehow, as if by magic or Divine intervention, at year end a cerebral rocket was lit, and I would catch up to the other students and get promoted to the next grade. Miraculous.

I was tail-end Charlie most years, but as I look back I realized there was one thing I was good at. In fact, I was better at this than anyone else. You probably did this at school too. It was this little diversion before holidays. I was the kid who was able to find the most words out of a holiday phrase. In my sixth-grade class in Illinois, the phrase was MERRY CHRISTMAS. In Florida, the phrase was about MEMORIAL DAY. I was the champ, the supreme victor. I smoked ‘em—in two states!

It was a little thing really, but it was a hint of where my heart was—in words, in written language and in story. I love words. I love playing with them, and I think God designed me to use words, to tinker with them, to help communicate His love and desire for people. This is part of my destiny—to be about words and to touch people’s heart with life-changing truth. When said that way, it doesn’t seem like a little thing at all. It seems more like ... destiny ... even for the slowest kid in the class....

What has God put within you? Something good I know. He has carefully placed these simple things, good things, satisfying things in all of us. It’s a soul craving, a desire to fulfill. A destiny....


Lord, unfold our destinies in Your time ... for Your glory. Amen.

April 08


Soul Cravings – Part I: Intimacy


There lies within each of us the desire for something more, something different. There are three longings God wants to help us satisfy. Consider how Erwin McManus introduces this subject.

There are cravings within me that pull on me like an addiction. They have been with me and have even at times tormented me. They go deeper than any physical addiction ever could. Beyond my flesh, beyond my mind, beyond my heart, there seems to be a place where my deepest and most powerful cravings lie. And they do not lie there silently. My soul, it seems, always desires and demands, and no matter how hard I try to satisfy it, it always craves more. No, not more, but something I can’t seem to understand. Jesus once said the kingdom of God is within us…. I would like to guide you on a soul journey and help you discover that which is already within you. Ahead you will find a trilogy. You will find three quests that we are all on: a quest for intimacy, a quest for destiny, and a quest for meaning. My soul craves. If yours does too, then let’s travel together for awhile.

Intimacy

A friend loveth at all times….

Proverbs 17:17a (KJV)


I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love.

John 15:9 (NLT)


Intimacy. I believe there are two parts to this craving. First, we need to be loved. It’s both a want and a need. Second, we need to love. Sound simple? It is, and the bottom line of it all is this: God loves me. He loves you. When we realize this plain truth, when we accept it and return the love He’s given—wow! Something wonderful happens.

First, we find a kind of contentment. An inner peace. But even more, as we return His love, we learn His way, and we ready ourselves. We are thus filled and enabled to reach others with the same love with which He loved us. And, oh, is it a powerful love!

It may be challenging at times. Loving others as Christ would love can be hard, but our soul desire is to act, to express, to show. We can't help but want to share this God-love, and the results are satisfying. For it is in God and in others we find our deepest joy.

Jesus understood this soul craving, so let me close with His words. Jesus said it this way:

I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other.

John 15:9-17


Lord, satisfy this soul craving … and bring Your greater joy! Amen.

April 06


Traveling Back in Time


Remember ... the LORD your God will be with you everywhere you go.

Joshua 1:9 (NCV)


I’ll never forget March of 1966. My two sisters were laying on the bed just weeping. Come to think about it, Mom wasn’t doing much better. We had just arrived from Illinois and to many in my family, our new home in St Petersburg, Florida was a huge step down. Don’t get me wrong I love Florida, I always have, but for them the move from a rambling four-bedroom ranch house to an older, two-bedroom home in a somewhat rundown, retirement-oriented neighborhood was devastating. It really hurt. But I can see the hand of God all over it ... at least now I can.

This last week, I was in the Chicago area at a Group Life Conference at Willow Creek and traveled back in time to our old homestead—the one we left in Geneva, Illinois. Besides collecting ideas, books and a few DVDs for our church Small Group ministry, I gathered a thousand memories from my boyhood days. The old hometown is kind of touristy now with shops and restaurants and its very own Starbucks! I hadn’t been to Geneva in twenty-five years, but I remembered—so many good years and at least one really hard move.

I was born in Chicago, but it wasn’t long before my parents moved us to the suburbs, and life seemed so good. The memories were easy, but visiting the sight of our first Geneva home jolted me. We rented the top story of a two-story home down by the river, and it was gone! Now at the corner of James and River Streets was a full parking lot. I felt old when I looked at the street signs and read Historic District (Geneva was established in 1835)! But other than my house at 5 James St. disappearing, and the new river-front resort popping up across the street, it was very much the same. I looked down James Street and relived the daily, seven-block walk to school. Across busy First Street, past the Public Library, along the sidewalk graced by established homes and flower beds. It was a pleasure to walk James Street even if it was uphill. Across State Street and past the Kane County Court House. (Don’t go near the jail, Craig!) Past more manicured lawns. And finally, to the three-story brick building I considered a fortress. I remembered being inside and looking out the big classroom windows at the tall trees ... daydreaming! I recalled the desks, the clock and the high ceilings, the flag, the paper alphabet and the large, pull-down maps. And, oh, how I hated going to the chalk board to work math problems! I was such a slow student. My favorite school times were sitting on the hallway floor against the the cool, clean walls eating lunch with my friend Tom ... and recess. I noticed the old playing field with the huge tree was still there, and I remembered running and chasing and playing dungeon some forty years ago. And the Fourth Grade. How could I forget the Fourth Grade and the cute, blonde girl who was so good at soccer. She was better than I was. She was better than anyone was, and I had a heart-throbbing crush on her, and I had it bad. I played full back just so I could be near her, and we would run. Oh, how she ran. She had pig tails and a wonderful smile. She was quiet and soft and peaceful. She was everything. But then we moved. Goodbye cute, blonde girl, and the Fox River and Island Park where we used to play after school. Hello, countryside and cornfields and long bike rides to a new school. We moved to the country to a house my Dad built on his free weekends when he wasn’t commuting to Chicago.

We had a big lot, and Dad roto-tilled a plot for his vegetable garden. The backyard ended right there with the garden at a huge cornfield—my new playground. Once sister Thelma and I saw a tornado form over our yard then go ripping through the cornfield. Two miles later parts of roofs went hurling through the air. All kinds of scary things happened out here. I remember soon after moving in, my little sister Mae went in to convulsions and my parents rushed her to the hospital. It got real quiet then, and big sister Thelma came into my room, and we prayed for Mae. She came home okay, but soon after I moved out of my bedroom, so the girls could have their own rooms. Dad added a bedroom in the garage—kind of. I’m not sure if he ever finished it.... My new room wasn’t heated, so I got lots of blankets ... and the dog. Plus this really neat view out to the cornfield. I was all alone and I kind of liked it even if it was cold in the winter. I loved to cuddle under the blankets and listen to WLS 890 on the radio in Chi-ca-go! The continuing story of Chickeeen Maaaan! was a regular as well as listening to the Beatles and the Stones. 1960s Americana at its best.

I remember the fun of playing flag football at the new school with our principal, Mr. Pauley. Someone said Mr. Pauley had played college ball, and we all believed it, because he was so good. Mr. Pauley was the full-time quarterback and the rest of us would run around for passes. I remember the absolute thrill of streaking down the sideline stride for stride with three other boys, all the while watching Mr. Pauley’s high lob, a long-bomb, come sailing our way. It landed square in my arms just before I crossed the goal line. What a sensation for such an unlikely kid—touchdown! The only touchdown I would ever score in Illinois. Soon, I was back to my usual ho-hum life. But there were other adventures. Later that winter I almost got lost in a blizzard chasing my dog. Then, in February, we moved again, and everything changed.

My Dad bought rental property in Florida and took a job with the Post Office. What a difference. Florida was slow and easy and laid back. I went from having more than five teachers in five classrooms to a one-room class with Mr. Pierce, and the subjects seemed so much easier—kind of like review. Life seemed to slow waaaay down. There was no snow, no ice skating, no snowball fights, no ice forts, no real seasons and very few friends. It seemed like a step down, but then a new life, a spiritual life came my way. I came to know Jesus. I made new friends too. The church hired an energetic youth director and suddenly life was so much more exciting than it ever was in sleepy, old Geneva. There was high school, college and the Air Force. Life really turned out well....

Then last week, I went to Chicago. I went to Chicago to learn, to get better at ministry and to encourage our struggling church, but I also remembered. I remembered how God watched over me as a kid, how He stretched me, how He stretched all of us, and how He skillfully showed me something new and even better. A way easier than I imagined; and now, His gentle reminder ... He is with me everywhere I go.


Father, thanks for the memories—these and so many more. May I continue to follow wherever You may lead. Amen.

April 05


Holding Hands


I the LORD have called you to righteousness and will hold your hand.

Isaiah 42:6 (NKJV)


Though they stumble they will not fall for the LORD holds them by the hand.

Psalm 37:24 (NLT)


Last night I was restless. It happens sometimes. I get things running through my mind like an Indy racecar! So while I should be slowing down and transitioning to dream world, I’m still processing. But last night I did get to sleep and sooner than I expected.

Five or ten minutes of tossing and turning ended when Kris rolled over, found my hand and held it. It wasn’t a motherly hand hold, nor was it a girl-boy kind of hand hold. It was the touch of a friend, and it made all the difference. Within a couple of minutes, I was fast asleep.

What is it about touch—a simple touch like holding someone’s hand—that means so much and does so much for us? I remember holding hands, because I rarely do it. But there is another hand hold I seem to forget about, but I wish I didn't. It’s God holding my hand.

God holds our hands, and I think we forget, so He tells us. He reminds us. He looks down and whispers in our ears, I’m here for you. It’s okay. He wants us to know everything will be fine. He’s present. He still loves us and He always will.

And by holding His hand, He leads us to something better—the abundant life of Christ!


Father, let us feel Your touch. Hold our hands, and lead us. Amen.